guī归returngēn根rootdào到todǐ底bottom
In the final analysis; ultimately; in the last analysis.
Literal meaning
return (归) — root (根) — to (到) — bottom (底)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase indicating the fundamental or ultimate reason or cause of something.
Examples
guī归gēn根dào到dǐ底,hái还shì是yīn因wèi为nǐ你bù不gòu够nǔ努lì力。
Ultimately, it's because you didn't work hard enough.
guī归gēn根dào到dǐ底,zhè这ge个wèn问tí题hái还shì是xū需yào要jiě解jué决。
In the final analysis, this problem still needs to be solved.
Usage & nuances
Used to emphasize the underlying cause or essence of a situation.
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